Message Notes

INTRODUCTION

1. A very complex family situation

2. Leah and her children

a. Reuben Genesis 29:32

b. Simeon Genesis 29:33

c. Levi Genesis 29:34

d. Judah Genesis 29:35

3. Bilhah, Rachel’s maid

a. Dan Genesis 30:6

b. Naphtali Genesis 30:8

A CONTINUING STRUGGLE

1. Leah’s realization

a. She had ceased bearing

b. But she was going to battle further

2. Zilpah, Leah’s maid

a. Gad was born Genesis 30:11

b. Asher was added Genesis 30:13

RESORTING TO SUPPLEMENTS

1. Finding of mandrakes by Reuben Genesis 30:14

a. Reuben was helping out with the wheat harvest

b. He found some mandrakes accidentally

2. An awkward conversation between two sisters

14 Now Reuben went in the days of wheat harvest and found mandrakes in the field, and brought them to his mother Leah. Then Rachel said to Leah, “Please give me some of your son’s mandrakes.”
15 But she said to her, “Is it a small matter that you have taken away my husband? Would you take away my son’s mandrakes also?”
And Rachel said, “Therefore he will lie with you tonight for your son’s mandrakes.”

Genesis 30:14-15

a. Rachel asked for some mandrakes

i) They are supposed to heal the problem of infertility

ii) This was more folklore than fact

b. Leah’s retort

i) Is it a small matter that you have taken away my husband?

ii) Would you also take away my son’s mandrakes also?

c. Rachel’s reply

“Therefore he will lie with you tonight for your son’s mandrakes.”

MORE CHILDREN FOR LEAH

16 When Jacob came out of the field in the evening, Leah went out to meet him and said, “You must come in to me, for I have surely hired you with my son’s mandrakes.” And he lay with her that night.
17 And God listened to Leah, and she conceived and bore Jacob a fifth son.
18 Leah said, “God has given me my wages, because I have given my maid to my husband.” So she called his name Issachar.
19 Then Leah conceived again and bore Jacob a sixth son.
20 And Leah said, “God has endowed me with a good endowment; now my husband will dwell with me, because I have borne him six sons.” So she called his name Zebulun.
21 Afterward she bore a daughter, and called her name Dinah.

Genesis 30:16-21

1. Leah’s children

a) Issachar was the fifth son Genesis 30:18

b) Zebulun was the sixth son Genesis 30:20

c) Dinah was the only daughter Genesis 30:21

2. Leah’s hope and wishes

a) That through her children, Jacob would love her

b) That he would dwell with her

GOD REMEMBERED RACHEL

22 Then God remembered Rachel, and God listened to her and opened her womb.
23 And she conceived and bore a son, and said, “God has taken away my reproach.”
24 So she called his name Joseph, and said, “The Lord shall add to me another son.”

Genesis 30:22-24

1. God remembered Rachel

a) This does not mean God had forgotten Rachel

b) It is an idiomatic expression

2. God listened to her and opened her womb

a) Rachel had prayed

b) God had listened to her

c) God opened her womb

d) The mandrakes had not helped!

3. Joseph was born Genesis 30:24

4. Rachel’s remarks

a) “God has taken away my reproach.”

b) “The Lord shall add to me another son.”

5. There was a growing consciousness of God in her life

CONCLUSION

1. When God is not a part of our life, the following may emerge:

a) Strife

b) Deceit

c) False hopes

d) False belief

2. When God is a part of our life, the following may take place

a) God’s blessings are given

b) His grace and mercy become more real and precious

3. Our Challenge

a) To grow in knowledge

b) To cultivate faith in the Lord